Potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market for potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets in Lebanon expanded considerably, with volume rising from 2,775 t to 4,879 t. This growth was supported by increasing domestic production, which reached 6,465 t in 2020, while imports gradually declined.

In 2022, market volume jumped to 6,183 t. This increase coincided with a government ban on the export of milled products, including potato flour, enacted in March 2022 and valid until end-2024. The restriction kept more domestically produced goods inside the country, boosting available supply alongside a rebound in imports.

The market contracted to 4,212 t in 2023. The decline was driven primarily by a sharp, 50% drop in imports. This followed continued shipments of Egyptian potato that created a local surplus and the application of Law No. 48 (1999), which limits import quantities during peak domestic harvest seasons. Rising fuel prices also led to discussions about increased transport costs, affecting production expenses.

Production potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon ranked 23rd globally in the production of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets.

Top producers of potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets, 2017-2020

Lebanon's production of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 465 tonnes, marking a significant year-on-year increase of 21.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 29.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Lebanon's exports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 4 529 tonnes, down 2.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 35.7%, averaging an annual decline of 13.7%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 7 184 tonnes, while the largest decrease occurred in 2019 with a 35.4% drop. In contrast, exports saw their biggest increase in 2018, rising by 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Tunisia, and Morocco were the main destinations for Lebanon's exports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets. Turkey accounted for 21.6% of exports in volume, Tunisia for 18.2%, and Morocco for 10.2%. Together, these three countries made up 50.0% of Lebanon's total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Lebanon's exports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 7 633 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 5.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 10.1%, with an annualized rate of decline of 3.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 9 367 thousand US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 13.6% decrease, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lebanon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Tunisia, and Morocco were the leading buyers of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets from Lebanon in value terms. Turkey represented 20.9% of export value, Tunisia 20.0%, and Morocco 10.0%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 50.9% of Lebanon's total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Lebanon in value, 2017-2020

Imports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2 954 tonnes, a 16.8% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 10.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.7%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 4 656 tonnes. The largest decrease was in 2019 with a 23.7% drop, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 40.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the dominant source for Lebanon's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets in volume, capturing 75.1% of total flows. Other countries each held much smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Lebanon in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 3 543 thousand US dollars, down 25.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 5 880 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase was also in 2018, up 47.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lebanon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands accounted for the majority of Lebanon's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets in value terms, with a 76.9% share. The remaining imports were spread across a variety of other markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Lebanon in value, 2017-2020